Best Tried & True Brand: McCormick Classic Garlic Powder

We’ve purchased a large amount of garlic powder for cooking of the years and one lesson we’ve learned is this: sometimes it is better to go for the tried and true brand.

This is the case when you have an important recipe that you don’t want to take any chances on. More obscure brands of spices sometimes have inconsistent quality. Or they don’t last as long as the tried and true brand.

When we did a blind taste tests, it was not a big surprise that this one rose to the top: McCormick’s Classic Garlic Powder. 

What We Liked

• Nice texture that isn’t too powdery. The texture is more like table salt.

• Removable shaker top.

• No GMO’s.

• Garlic is sourced from China, but processed and packed in the US.

What Needs Work

• Not everyone is a fan of the texture. If you want a more finely textured garlic, consider this next pick.

Best Budget Friendly: Badia Garlic Powder

Yes, garlic powder can be pricey—but there is good news: this brand won over our taste testers AND is easy on the wallet. 

The big difference between Badia and McCormick is the texture. We found the Badia to be more finely textured, more powdery.

Whether that is a plus or minus depends on what you are cooking. For stews, sauces or rubs, more finely textured garlic powder better dissolves in liquid. 

By contrast, when it comes to popcorn or garlic bread, a more coarse grind is our preference. You want to taste more of the granules.

Here’s more on why we recommend the Badia Garlic Powder:

What We Liked

• Large size means you won’t run out quickly!

• Fine/powdery texture great for sauces.

• Excellent flavor.

• Grown and processed in China but packaged in the US.

What Needs Work

• Powdery texture can cause too much to shake out of bottle if you’re not careful!

Best Organic Value: Naturevibe Botanicals USDA Organic Garlic Ground Powder

Organic garlic powder can get very pricey. Naturevibe Botanicals did very well in our garlic bread blind taste tests—and we were surprised that unlike a lot of organic products, the price was rather affordable.

What We Liked

• Fine powder.

• Grown in India.

• No GMO’s.

• USDA Organic.

• Affordable (for organic garlic powder).

What Needs Work

• Comes in foil resealable packet. This is not our favorite packaging (we prefer a shaker bottle). That’s because the very powdery garlic can fly all over the place when you open the packet!

Best Aroma: Watkins Gourmet Spice, Organic Garlic Powder

In addition to taste, we also judged garlic powders on aroma. This one, Watkins Gourmet Spice, was the clear winner. Yes, it is a bit pricey, but this organic garlic powder won over our taste testers with its combination of rich garlic aroma and coarser granules.

What We Liked

• USDA Organic.

• No GMO’s.

• Packaged in USA.

• Strong flavor.

• Not too powdery.

What Needs Work

• Pricey.

Why Trust Us

We’ve been rating and reviewing products for the home and families since 1994. We do extensive research, evaluating products with an eye toward quality, ease of use and affordability. When we purchase a product for hands-on testing, we do so with our own money.

Here’s another key point: we don’t take money from the brands we review. No free samples, no sponsors, no “partnerships.” Our work is 100% reader-supported!